Podcast
Questions and Answers
The Mughal Empire began to disintegrate during the reign of its last great emperor, ______.
The Mughal Empire began to disintegrate during the reign of its last great emperor, ______.
Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb's death in 1707 only ______ the process of disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
Aurangzeb's death in 1707 only ______ the process of disintegration of the Mughal Empire.
hastened
Aurangzeb's intolerance toward different religions made enemies of powerful regional groups like the ______.
Aurangzeb's intolerance toward different religions made enemies of powerful regional groups like the ______.
Rajputs
After Aurangzeb's death, a war of ______ began among his three sons.
After Aurangzeb's death, a war of ______ began among his three sons.
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The rulers who succeeded Aurangzeb were largely ______ and lazy.
The rulers who succeeded Aurangzeb were largely ______ and lazy.
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Bahadur Shah was already ______ years old by the time he became emperor.
Bahadur Shah was already ______ years old by the time he became emperor.
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The military power of the Empire rested on the two systems devised by ______.
The military power of the Empire rested on the two systems devised by ______.
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The weakening of the Mughal Empire made it easier for regional and ______ powers to attack.
The weakening of the Mughal Empire made it easier for regional and ______ powers to attack.
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Chikka Krishna Raj created the independent kingdom of ______ at the beginning of the 18th century.
Chikka Krishna Raj created the independent kingdom of ______ at the beginning of the 18th century.
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Hyder Ali was succeeded by his son ______ in 1782.
Hyder Ali was succeeded by his son ______ in 1782.
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The Maratha kingdom became a major power during the ______ century.
The Maratha kingdom became a major power during the ______ century.
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Chhatrapati ______, born in 1627, was greatly inspired by his spiritual guide, Guru Randas.
Chhatrapati ______, born in 1627, was greatly inspired by his spiritual guide, Guru Randas.
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In 1737, the Maratha army defeated the Mughal forces near ______.
In 1737, the Maratha army defeated the Mughal forces near ______.
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The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was a major defeat for the ______.
The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 was a major defeat for the ______.
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The term ______ refers to a type of land tax where a quarter of the total produce is demanded from farmers.
The term ______ refers to a type of land tax where a quarter of the total produce is demanded from farmers.
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Shivaji and his son Sambhaji once escaped from arrest by Aurangzeb in ______.
Shivaji and his son Sambhaji once escaped from arrest by Aurangzeb in ______.
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Balaji Baji Rao, the third peshwa, made the office of the peshwa ______.
Balaji Baji Rao, the third peshwa, made the office of the peshwa ______.
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Hyder Ali defeated the British in the First ______ War in 1769.
Hyder Ali defeated the British in the First ______ War in 1769.
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The Mughal Empire was further weakened by continuous foreign ______.
The Mughal Empire was further weakened by continuous foreign ______.
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Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia, invaded India in ______.
Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia, invaded India in ______.
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The ______ systems were military systems designed by Akbar.
The ______ systems were military systems designed by Akbar.
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A holder of a jagir was known as a ______.
A holder of a jagir was known as a ______.
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The capital of Awadh became famous for Urdu ______.
The capital of Awadh became famous for Urdu ______.
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Murshid Quli Khan was the governor of ______.
Murshid Quli Khan was the governor of ______.
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The Sikhs established a powerful empire in the 18th century under ______ Singh.
The Sikhs established a powerful empire in the 18th century under ______ Singh.
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Raja Sawai Jai Singh founded the city of ______.
Raja Sawai Jai Singh founded the city of ______.
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The Carnatic's capital was at ______.
The Carnatic's capital was at ______.
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The ______ defeated Sirajuddaulah in the Battle of Plassey.
The ______ defeated Sirajuddaulah in the Battle of Plassey.
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Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasions dealt a deathblow to the crumbling Mughal ______.
Ahmad Shah Abdali's invasions dealt a deathblow to the crumbling Mughal ______.
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Zulfikar Ali was appointed as the nawab of the ______.
Zulfikar Ali was appointed as the nawab of the ______.
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The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is known for its ______ devices.
The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is known for its ______ devices.
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Muhammad Shah appointed Chin Qilich Khan as the governor of the ______.
Muhammad Shah appointed Chin Qilich Khan as the governor of the ______.
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The title of the ruler of Punjab after the invasions became ______ Singh.
The title of the ruler of Punjab after the invasions became ______ Singh.
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Study Notes
Decline of the Mughal Empire
- The Mughal Empire began to crumble during Aurangzeb's reign, and his death in 1707 accelerated this decline.
- Aurangzeb's policies included the reversal of religious tolerance, pushing regional powers like the Rajputs and Marathas into opposition.
- Heavy military expenditures due to wars depleted the Mughal treasury, leading to failure in timely troop payments and morale decline.
- Successors of Aurangzeb displayed incompetence and wastefulness, exacerbating the Empire's fall.
- The absence of clear succession laws led to vicious internal power struggles, further weakening the empire.
- Important Mughal rulers from Aurangzeb to Bahadur Shah Zafar include Azam Shah, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, and Muhammad Shah.
Military Weakness
- The jagirdari and mansabdari systems, designed by Akbar, deteriorated under later Mughal rule, crippling military structure.
- The Mughal navy and artillery were inferior to that of foreign invaders, making them vulnerable.
- Nadir Shah's 1739 invasion and Ahmed Shah Abdali's subsequent raids severely damaged Mughal strength.
Rise of Independent States
- The decline of the Mughal Empire facilitated the emergence of independent regional kingdoms.
- Hyderabad: Established by Chin Qilich Khan (Nizam-ul-Mulk) in 1724, maintained semi-independence under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
- Awadh: Saadat Khan established semi-independence; his family ruled from Lucknow, a cultural hub before British annexation.
- Bengal: Murshid Quli Khan became the governor and later built a prosperous region that was targeted by the British, culminating in Sirajuddaulah's defeat at the Battle of Plassey (1757).
- Punjab: Invasions empowered Sikhs under Guru Gobind Singh, leading to a strong Sikh Empire established by Ranjit Singh after internal conflicts.
- Rajputs: Independence of various Rajput kingdoms was declared during Mughal decline, with Raja Sawai Jai Singh founding Jaipur.
- Rohilkhand: Established by the Rohillas under Muhammad Khan Bangash; a significant political entity until defeated by combined British and Awadh forces in 1774.
Key Kingdoms and Leaders
- Carnatic: Established by Zulfikar Ali in 1692; became independent under Ali Khan Wallajah in 1765, later annexed by the British.
- Mysore: Founded by Chikka Krishna Raj; Hyder Ali modernized the army and defeated the British in the First Anglo-Mysore War. His successor, Tipu Sultan, continued fighting until his death in 1799.
- Marathas: Emerged as a dominant force under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who began conquests at age 19. By death (1680), his kingdom spanned major parts of Western India.
- Following Shivaji, peshwas gained real power, with notable figures like Baji Rao I and Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Fadnavis) rising. Maratha expansion peaked in the 1750s.
Significance of Battles
- The Third Battle of Panipat (1761) marked a crushing defeat for the Marathas, weakening their position and aiding British advances.
- The battles during this period significantly shifted power dynamics and paved the way for European colonial control over India.
Cultural Heritage
- Maharaja Sawai Singh of Jaipur significantly contributed to science, establishing astronomical observatories known as Jantar Mantar, many of which remain functional today.
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Description
Explore the key factors that shaped India in the 18th century, including the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, the rise of regional kingdoms like the Marathas, and the establishment of British rule. This quiz delves into the pivotal events and causes behind these historical shifts.